Penn State has its man.
On Monday at the Bryce Jordan Center, former Boston University coach Patrick Chambers was introduced as the 12th coach of the Nittany Lion basketball program.
In today’s edition of Morelli OnLion, we’ll take a look the Nittany Lions’ new leader.
It’s Pat!
In front of a large crowd at the BJC on a beautiful Monday afternoon in Happy Valley, 39-year-old Patrick Chambers stood at a podium in the South Gym and took the reins of the men’s basketball program.
“I hope you all embrace this new attitude that we’re going to bring. We’re going to follow in the traditions of Penn State basketball. Success with Honor is our motto. We’re going to recruit kids that are serious about their degrees, that love to play basketball, that will represent Penn State with integrity and will be out in the community and work charities and do whatever we can to help the area,” Chambers said. “They’re excited, I’m excited. We’re going to play a style I hope you will enjoy and come out and support. We’re going to play up-tempo. We’re going to push the ball. We’re going to get layups. If we don’t get layups, we’re going to shoot threes.”
With Penn State president Graham Spanier and athletic director Tim Curley looking on, Chambers talked about what hoops will mean to Nittany Nation.
“Nittany Nation, students, alums, fans…it’s the only school you can go anywhere in the world and yell, ‘We are…’ And you’re going to hear something. It might be off in the distance, but you’re going to hear something,” Chambers said.
Last week in this same spot, I called Chambers a dark horse candidate for the head coaching job. However, as candidates pulled out, Chambers shot to the top of Curley’s list.
“We had the opportunity to visit coach Chambers earlier this week. His contagious positive attitude, confidence in the program and university, and his values, which match our proud athletic history, inspired us to believe that he was the perfect fit to coach and lead this program to greatness. His vision, passion, and energy will inspire all of us to not only be part of his team, but to help him expand the interest, support and tradition of Penn State Basketball. Coach Chambers has the ‘it’ factor,” Curley explained. “He has the full package all great coaches possess. He is a superior recruiter, with key contacts and relationships in all the major areas where Penn State needs to find the great basketball players. Coach Chambers has recruited All-Americans and current NBA players as well as found sleepers who he has developed into great players. He has NCAA Tournament experience and has helped guide teams who have reached the Final Four, Elite Eight, Sweet 16 and has a full appreciation of what it takes to compete at the highest level.”
Chambers leaves Boston University fresh off back-to-back 21-14 seasons. While he was there, he guided the Terriers to the America East Conference championship and an appearance in the NCAA tournament.
At Penn State, Chambers faces a tall task. While the Nittany Lions made the NCAA tournament for the first time during the Ed DeChellis Era, they were bounced in the first round by cross-state rival Temple. But the Lions lose their corps of starters. With that in mind, Chambers faces quite a rebuilding task.
Still, Chambers is optimistic.
“I’m fired up about the incoming team, the team that’s here now and the incoming freshmen. I’ve talked to all of them on the phone. They’re excited, I’m excited, I cannot wait to meet all of them and get going, just meet them in Summer Session II,” Chambers said.
Chambers recognized many people during his first-ever news conference at the BJC, but said that someone extremely important was not in attendance. During a touching moment, he recognized his late mother.
“I also want to recognize, just real quick … I want to say my mom passed away a year and a half ago and I know, I know she had something to do with this. She just wanted us all in the same state and wanted us to all be together and I thank her up in heaven because I know she’s up there dealing with this crew,” Chambers said.
It was quite a touching moment on a momentous afternoon at University Park.
Next week, we’ll take at what the hire means for hoops in Happy Valley.
Chris Morelli is an award-winning writer/editor who lives in Centre County and covers Penn State athletics for gantnews.com. He’s also a regular on “Sports Central,” which airs on ESPN Radio in Altoona and State College. E-mail him at morellionlion@gmail.com. Also, be sure to check out Morelli OnLion on Facebook!